Klinisk Biokemi i Norden · 1 2019
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A Finnish delegation composed of Soili Kytölä and
Arto Orpana, Helsinki HUSLAB, then shifted the
focus towards
P4 molecular medicine
in health and
disease. They spoke about how booming technolo-
gies are using more and more data and how this can
be used in personalized medicine providing all the
data can be stored and put to good use. Later Torben
Falck Ørntoft, Aarhus University Hospital, concluded
day two with a talk on
precision medicine
. By means
of molecular methods, many diseases historically
thought to be distinct entities, and thus treated in a
uniform manner, have proven to be separate mani-
festations with different natural courses. By applying
genome/transcriptome sequencing patients with the
same diagnosis can be categorized into subpopula-
tions. This provides a means for selecting an indi-
vidual therapy guided by the specific biochemical
profile, course and prognosis of the individual group
or patient.
Day 3
The third day was all about
communication, dialogue,
teaching and leadership
, a theme which resonated
well with the course subtitle. Avid sailor and medi-
cal advisor at Siemens Healthineers, Per Simonsson,
spellbound his audience with a dynamic lecture on
the importance of communication in a laboratory
setting, be it with clinicians, industry representatives
or management. Drawing parallels between the chal-
lenges faced during the dramatic entry on a sailboat
into the Strait of Gibraltar and the communica-
tion related challenges of the laboratory doctor, Per
Simonsson illustrated the importance of considering
one’s interlocutor in communication. By knowing the
market,
the setting in which the exchange of infor-
mation takes place, and knowing its recipient, infor-
mation can be tailored in a way which increases the
likelihood it is appropriately received and absorbed.
Next up was Bettina Lundgren, center director
at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, who drew upon her
own experiences of managing such a dynamic and
multi-faceted clinic to illustrate the challenges faced
as a leader in laboratory medicine. In her lecture,
Bettina Lundgren highlighted the current and future
trends of laboratory medicine, such as the increasing
implementation of personalized medicine and tech-
nological advances giving rise to challenges related
to big data and machine learning.
Last in line was Anna-Marie Block Münster, head
of the Department of Clinical Diagnostics at the
Hospital of Southwest Denmark, on
leadership and
communication in a dynamic organization
. She pre-
sented theoretical bases for management and leader-
ship theory as well as providing practical tools for use
in clinical and management situations. By bringing
together the topics of the two previous talks on com-
munication and leadership her lecture proved a fitting
finale to this session.
The course ended with five presentations on the
role of the laboratory doctor in clinical diagnostics
prepared the day before. Each presenting group was
a mix of participants from the Nordic countries,
which provided ample opportunity to get to know
the workings and customs of the laboratories of the
neighbouring countries. Motivated by the events of
the past days, we had the opportunity to inspire each
other as we spoke of our hopes and plans for our
future in clinical biochemistry.
After three intense days, we left Copenhagen full
of newly acquired knowledge and fresh perspectives
and returned to our respective laboratories. Inspired,
we hope to make use of our new insights in improving
the way we work and strengthen the Nordic colla-
boration in cooperating with our fellow neighbours
and colleagues.
Last but not least, we want to take the opportunity
to direct our thanks to the organizers and NFKK for
arranging this course, in the hopes of meeting again
in the future!
Lively discussion between lecturers and course organizers
during a break. Photo: Helle B. Hager.
